Hi Guys... today's feature is all about "INSPIRATION"! I had the opportunity to speak with Kendall Brown, owner of Eclatante Event Design in Philadelphia, PA. Kendall's events are truly amazing and you can always see the "bride's style" in each event. Kendall will take us through 3 different weddings she designed and show you how to incorporate "your style" in "your big day". Let's see what fabulous stories Kendall has to share with us..........Enjoy!
"I'm often asked where my ideas come from. There really is not one answer to that question. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with some crazy concept jumping out of my head. Other times, I'll be going through linen swatch books and everything starts tumbling into place.
But even those things don't happen in a vacuum. What it really takes is a lot of listening. My clients are not just about a color palette or where the wedding is taking place. While colors and the venue are certainly important in forming the blueprint for a beautiful wedding, what really makes a wedding interesting are the distinctive elements that reflect the personalities, history and other unique characteristics that I learn about the bride and groom and their families along the way. Those details are always memorable because they are, by definition, unique to the couple.
Let me give you a few examples:
One of my favorite couples was married last March. They'd been together for about seven years and had a great history together. As I worked with them I got to know more and more about these two wonderful people and their families.
They met and fell in love with New York City. They both enjoyed Broadway shows; the bride had done some improv comedy work in New York. They had recently bought a beautiful new home in Center City, PA and love living there; she truly wanted to be a "Rittenhouse Bride". So, as we worked on pulling together the details, such as the table number, the ceremony music, the dessert (they really didn't want a cake), the location for photos, etc. we had some exceptional stuff to work with.
For instance, the ceremony music from their favorite Broadway shows:
- The Processional: A jazzy version of "Tonight" from West Side Story...
- The Bride's Entrance: "A Heart Full of Love" from Les Miserables
- The Recessional: "Seasons of Love" from Rent
And she became the perfect "Rittenhouse Bride" as she made new friends in Rittenhouse Square on her wedding day......"
The Beautiful "Rittenhouse Bride"
We named each table after something the couple shared!
The desserts were Chocolate Mousse New York City Apples coated with a bright red candy shell!
(images courtesy of Mike Kehr Photography)
"Another bride was a true "Shoe Diva" and her desserts were perfect for her: She had chocolate stiletto shells filled with different flavors of mousse..........
The centerpieces also reflected the bride's shoe fetish as well as her love for crystals and hats...see the hat boxes!
Plus this couple shared a love for art, so, of course, they were married in a stunning Philadelphia Art Gallery - The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Their "table numbers" were reproductions of pieces found in the gallery and the "seating cards" sit on tiny easels."
(images courtesy of Marie Labbancz Photography)
"Another bride who has her own fabulous fashion line wanted a wedding that reflected her own very chic and modern style. She was also having her wedding in the backyard of her family's home....a warm and anything-but-modern renovated farmhouse. She found a beautiful green and white rug that formed the basis for a stunning designer wedding that managed to bring together her amazing style and her family's beautiful traditional home......."
(images courtesy of Barnaby Draper Photography)
Kendall, what a great feature and very inspirational. Guys, I hope Kendall has helped you with making your day a little more "you" and please visit Kendall's new blog.
These weddings are simply stunning in all details!!! I so love it!! Thanks for the post Janie and thanks Kendall for sharing.
Posted by: Inspired Events | March 19, 2008 at 07:26 AM
What a great post! I love all the details and the shoe centerpiece is so fun!
Posted by: Heidi @ Zenadia Design | March 19, 2008 at 09:59 AM
You can really see how little details go a long way. Amazing!
Posted by: Janelle | March 19, 2008 at 11:23 AM
LOVE these details! The little apple desserts are simply adorable!
Posted by: kara pennington photography | March 19, 2008 at 02:59 PM
oo! Where can I find those tiny easels?!
Posted by: Leen | April 13, 2008 at 11:49 PM
People do love those easels! Call the Porfolio Gallery Shop attached to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and see if you can get them to order them for you. 215-972-2075. They are great for seating cards and, if you need to spray paint them, they hold the color very well. Good luck!
Posted by: Kendall | April 21, 2008 at 04:39 PM